The Bassoon King: My Life in Art, Faith, and Idiocy

For nine seasons Rainn Wilson played Dwight Schrute, everyone's favorite work nemesis and beet farmer. Viewers of The Office fell in love with the character and grew to love the actor who played him even more. Rainn founded a website and media company, SoulPancake, that eventually became a best-selling book of the same name. He also started a hilarious Twitter feed (sample tweet: "I'm not on Facebook" is the new "I don't even own a TV") that now has more than four million followers.

Welcome to Night Vale: A Novel

Located in a nameless desert somewhere in the great American Southwest, Night Vale is a small town where ghosts, angels, aliens, and government conspiracies are all commonplace parts of everyday life. It is here that the lives of two women, with two mysteries, will converge.

Trigger Warning: Short Fictions and Disturbances

In this new anthology, Neil Gaiman pierces the veil of reality to reveal the enigmatic, shadowy world that lies beneath. Trigger Warning includes previously published pieces of short fiction--stories, verse, and a very special Doctor Who story that was written for the fiftieth anniversary of the beloved series in 2013--as well as "Black Dog", a new tale that revisits the world of American Gods, exclusive to this collection.

From actor Cary Elwes, who played the iconic role of Westley in The Princess Bride, comes a first-person account and behind-the-scenes look at the making of the cult classic film filled with never-before-told stories, exclusive photographs, and interviews with costars Robin Wright, Wallace Shawn, Billy Crystal, Christopher Guest, and Mandy Patinkin, as well as author and screenwriter William Goldman, producer Norman Lear, and director Rob Reiner.

Almost Interesting: The Memoir

David Spade is best known for his harsh "Hollywood Minute" sketches on SNL, his starring roles in movies like Tommy Boy and Joe Dirt, and his seven-year stint as Dennis Finch on the series Just Shoot Me. Now, with a wit as dry as the weather in his home state of Arizona, the "comic brat extraordinaire" delivers a memoir.

Scrappy Little Nobody

Anna Kendrick's autobiographical collection of essays amusingly recounts memorable moments throughout her life, from her middle-class upbringing in New England to the blockbuster movies that have made her one of Hollywood's most popular actresses today. Expanding upon the witty and ironic dispatches for which she is known, Anna Kendrick's essays offer her one-of-a-kind commentary on the absurdities she's experienced on her way to and from the heart of pop culture.

Born with Teeth: A Memoir

Audie Award, Narration by Author, 2016. Raised by unconventional Irish Catholics who knew "how to drink, how to dance, how to talk, and how to stir up the devil", Kate Mulgrew grew up with poetry and drama in her bones. But in her mother, a would-be artist burdened by the endless arrival of new babies, young Kate saw the consequences of a dream deferred.

The Nerdist Way: How to Reach the Next Level (In Real Life)

Nerds: Once a tormented subrace of humans... Now captains of industry! You don’t have to be a stereotypical geekwad to appreciate the tenets of Nerdism and to make your innate talents for overanalysis and hyper-self-awareness work for you instead of against you. Join Nerd superstar Chris Hardwick as he offers his fellow “creative-obsessives” the crucial information needed to come out on top in the current Nerd uprising. Success is the most satisfying - and legal - form of vengeance there is. And you can achieve it when you follow the Nerdist Way,

Really Professional Internet Person

Through her pranks, sketches, and videos about everyday life, Jenn has become a mouthpiece for millennials and one of YouTube's fastest rising stars! Jenn McAllister, better known as JennxPenn, has been obsessed with making videos since she found her parents' video camera at the age of eight. A shy child, Jenn turned to film because, unlike with life, you can always have a do-over. Really Professional Internet Person offers both an insider's guide to building a successful YouTube channel and an intimate portrait of the surreality of insta-fame.

Sounds Like Me: My Life (So Far) in Song

With refreshing candor, Sounds Like Me reveals Sara Bareilles - the artist and the woman - and her take on songwriting, soul searching, and what's discovered along the way. She shares the joys and the struggles that come with creating great work, all while staying true to herself. Imbued with humor and marked by Sara's confessional writing style, this collection tells the inside story behind some of her most popular songs.

Binge

For someone who made a career out of oversharing on the Internet, Tyler Oakley has a shocking number of personal mishaps and shenanigans to reveal in his first book: He experienced a legitimate rage blackout in a Cheesecake Factory; he had a fashion stand-off with the White House Secret Service; he crashed a car in front of his entire high school in an Arby's uniform; he projectile vomited while bartering with a grandmother.

The Only Pirate at the Party

Dancing electronic violinist Lindsey Stirling shares her unconventional journey in an inspiring memoir filled with the energy, persistence, and humor that have helped her successfully pursue a passion outside the box.

Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life

In the mid-70s, Steve Martin exploded onto the comedy scene. By 1978 he was the biggest concert draw in the history of stand-up. In 1981 he quit forever. Born Standing Up is, in his own words, the story of "why I did stand-up and why I walked away".

A Dirty Job

People start dropping dead around Charlie, giant ravens perch on his building, and it seems that everywhere he goes, a dark presence whispers to him from under the streets. Strange names start appearing on his nightstand notepad, and before he knows it, those people end up dead, too. Yup, it seems that Charlie Asher has been recruited for a new job, an unpleasant but utterly necessary one: Death.

The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul

Kate Schechter would like to know why everyone she meets knows her name - and why Thor, the Norse god of thunder, keeps showing up on her doorstep. Dirk Gently, detective and refrigerator wrestler, can uncover the mystery, and only the absurdist wit of Douglas Adams can recount them with such relentless humor.

Fangirl

Cath is a Simon Snow fan. Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan, but for Cath, being a fan is her life - and she's really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow Series when they were just kids; it's what got them through their mother leaving. Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere. Cath's sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can't let go.

Grace & Style: The Art of Pretending You Have It

One part parody, one part fashion fun, and one part personal experience, Grace's latest guide to life as a woman in America today is more H&M than Chanel. So tighten your Banana Republic belt a few notches, and learn how to pretend and convince everyone around you that you've got style and grace!

Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits

In a prosperous yet gruesomely violent near future, superhero vigilantes battle thugs whose heads are full of supervillain fantasies. The peace is kept by a team of smooth, well-dressed negotiators called The Men in Fancy Suits. Meanwhile a young girl is caught in the middle and thinks the whole thing is ridiculous. Zoey, a recent college graduate with a worthless degree, makes a reluctant trip into the city after hearing that her estranged con artist father died in a mysterious yet spectacular way.

Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography

This hilarious book has been adapted especially for the audiobook edition so you’ll hear all of the same fun and humor from the printed version but you don’t have to make any decisions or jump around - just kick back, relax and listen. Plus, it features exclusive bonus audio of young Neil delivering an adorable speech! That’s audio you won’t hear in any version of this book other than the audiobook!

Veronica Mars: Mr. Kiss and Tell: An Original Mystery by Rob Thomas

The Neptune Grand has always been the seaside town's ritziest hotel, despite the shady dealings and high-profile scandals that seem to follow its elite guests. When a woman claims that she was brutally assaulted in one of its rooms and left for dead by a staff member, the owners know that they have a potential powder keg on their hands. They turn to Veronica to disprove - or prove - the woman's story.

The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo

In The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo, Amy mines her past for stories about her teenage years, her family, relationships, and sex and shares the experiences that have shaped who she is - a woman with the courage to bare her soul to stand up for what she believes in, all while making us laugh. Down to earth and relatable, frank and unapologetic, Amy Schumer is one of us: She relies on her sister for advice, still hangs out with her high school pals, and continues to navigate the ever-changing boundaries in love, work, and life.

The Fold

The folks in Mike Erikson's small New England town would say he's just your average, everyday guy. And that's exactly how Mike likes it. Sure, the life he's chosen isn't much of a challenge to someone with his unique gifts, but he's content with his quiet and peaceful existence. That is, until an old friend presents him with an irresistible mystery, one that Mike is uniquely qualified to solve.

Publisher's Summary

In the tradition of #Girlboss and Mindy Kaling's Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, a funny, quirky, and inspiring memoir from online entertainment mogul, actress, and "queen of the geeks" Felicia Day about her unusual upbringing, her rise to Internet stardom, and embracing her individuality to find success in Hollywood.

The Internet isn't all cat videos - almost.

There's also Felicia Day - violinist, filmmaker, Internet entrepreneur, compulsive gamer, hoagie specialist, and former lonely homeschooled girl who overcame her isolated childhood to become the ruler of a new world - or at least the world of Internet-geek fame and Goodreads book clubs.

Growing up in the South, where she was homeschooled for hippie reasons, Felicia moved to Hollywood to pursue her dream of becoming an actress and was immediately typecast as a crazy cat-lady secretary. But Felicia's misadventures in Hollywood led her to produce her own web series, own her own production company, and become an instant Internet star.

Felcia's shortish life and her rags-to-riches rise to Internet fame launched her career as one of the most influential creators in new media. Now Felicia's strange life is filled with thoughts on creativity, video games, and a dash of mild feminist activism - just like her memoir.

Hilarious and inspirational, You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) is proof that everyone should embrace what makes them different and be brave enough to share it with the world, because anything is possible now - even for a digital misfit.

I had never heard of the author until a Goodreads friend wrote a glowing review of this book, so I decided to check out the audio sample; I liked it a lot, and my library had long hold queues for the book, so I dropped an Audible credit on it - great choice!

Sorry if this sounds fogey-ish to the whippersnapper cognoscenti, but to explain ... Felicia Day had a series called The Guild on You Tube, has moved on to other projects, and is very well known in "gamer" circles, and geekdom in general. Not for you, you're thinking? Not for me either, and I loved this book!

I hate re-hashing plots (as it were), but regarding what to expect: her youth being home schooled in the Deep South (by liberal parents), University of Texas (at I believe 16), a solid career in advertising gigs in L. A., internet addiction to online gaming (role play NOT gambling) which pretty much tanks her acting gigs, then resurrection with her own creative work, which succeeds more than she'd ever expected.

Here's why I'm raving about the book so much: she's naturally funny (largely self-effacing), yet makes serious points effectively. Highly distilled, her message is about living for yourself, not others' expectations, as well as not getting too caught up in (meaningless) drama.

Again, I want to emphasize that I started the book as trying something "out of my comfort zone." If you're a fan of memoirs by someone who expresses herself well (Felicia left Texas with an A average), but are hesitant about the sci-fi/fantasy/gaming aspect, don't worry about it! Unless you've been hanging out in a cave, or the very heights of intellectualism, you'll manage. The last chapter I felt got a bit carried away on that score, but she was making a larger point, and the episode was one that's important to her.

Regarding the audio narration -- absolutely No Way could anyone else have told her story as well as she does herself.

I've been a fan of Felicia since the first season of The Guild. I feel a little weird admitting this, but my brain registers her as one of my friends even though we've never met. I can't think of another actor, artist or celebrity that I both admire and consider a kindred spirit. All week during my commute to and from work, I've listened to Felicia read her book and I applaud her candidness, her honesty and her indomitable spirit.

While listening to her story about meeting one of scifi's leading ladies and commenting on her golf cart, I seriously almost got in a car accident from laughing so hard. It's not all laughs, though. There's some very brave and honest soul bearing moments. I found this book incredibly inspiring, and I'm so glad I chose the audiobook format. If you get this book, *NO NOT* miss the .pdf download that comes with it.

So many 90's references I felt like I was remembering these from my own childhood. On her web series, The Flog, she looked liked she was so anxious about how this book would turnout. Let me tell you, there is no need worry. This book was great and a delight to listen to.

This is a look into the life of someone quirky and creative who starts her own business and pays a steep price for internet fame. If on-line gaming, science fiction and web videos aren't in your wheelhouse, then I suggest skipping this book. This isn't badly written, but I never felt a connection with the author.

This book was amazing. I've always been a fan of Felicia Day. But this book just made me like her more. She's inspirational and motivating, while at the same time she comes across as genuine, kind, smart, funny (I laughed out loud on several parts), and an all around amazing woman. She has accomplished so much on her own, and continues to do so through horrible hateful events. (Gamergate). She has inspired me to never be afraid to be weird or odd and to never be sorry about creating said weirdness. As an artist I always expect the worst from random people on the Internet where I post. But if Felicia is any indication, it's not the trolls that need to be heard or even that little voice inside your head telling you that you're not doing anything right. It's listening to that quieter voice inside that says "keep going. You're doing ok." I'd recommend this book to anyone struggling with their inner creator. Especially young women and even young men who just need to know that their struggles are not pointless. And that everything will be ok. Eventually.

Felicia pretty much sums up everything great and dirty and magical and awful about the Internet and also being human. I left this book feeling inspired, ready to tackle everything, but also slightly crying. That's probably how life should be anyway.

Tenderly poignant. And funny, funny, funny. Read by the author who does a fantastic job. After listening, you will discover that Felicia has an off-the-charts IQ, but other than her reminding us in a self-deprecating manner of her 4.0 at the University of Texas (OMG!) at a young age, it has little bearing on her success. She shows us how to make the best of childhood loneliness, forge ahead and make an acting career with no fear, and then hit the jackpot in turning her obsession into The Guild, all the while having internal dialogue that fits society but in the end "doing it her way."

Who was your favorite character and why?

Felicia because it's her story,

What does Felicia Day and Joss Whedon - foreword bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Joss tells right off the bat how intelligent she is and can outplay the men, which I love like I do Tina Turner in videos with Mick Jagger and Rod Stewart. Who's the real star? TT and Felicia.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both reactions. She takes life's lemons and makes lemonade and like a great movie, evokes both emotions.

Fantastic. I walked in to a pole reading this book, it's that hard to put down. Felicia Day is fun and charming but more then that, she relatable, as a closet geek girl who pretends to be a boy online, to avoid harassment. I was crying, really crying over this book, Read it. Its that good.

Honestly, the sheer number of memoirs is overwhelming. Where does one start? It really does seem too complicated and easier to give up before one starts. But there is an easy answer to the daunting volume of tomes. Start with Felicia Day's memoir. At times, it is touching, funny, weird, relatable, educational, insightful, and lighthearted. Most importantly, it really is an enjoyable listen.